A COUPLE who hurled Islamophobic abuse at members of Jersey’s Muslim community and attacked people, including a child, outside the Mosque have been convicted after a three-day trial.
Tamara Nadine Dubois (37) and her partner Jade Clarke James Hamon (52) denied using racially motivated language in an incident outside the Jersey Islamic Centre in March.
However, yesterday, the pair were convicted by two Jurats and were remanded in custody until their sentencing later this year.
Prior to the trial, Dubois admitted one charge of assault against a child. Yesterday, she was convicted of two further assaults and one charge of abusive or threatening behaviour on two members of the congregation. Hamon has been convicted of abusive or threatening behaviour.
Crown Advocate Lauren Taylor, in her closing speech, said: “This was clearly a distressing incident and an unpleasant one. No one deserves to be racially abused when they leave their place of worship.”
The two other victims were members of the Muslim community who had gone to protect the child. The court heard that the pair had been shouting various Islamophobic insults and that as they left, Hamon held up a painting of a middle finger and continued to shout abuse as Dubois made gestures.
As he was arrested, Hamon used another racial slur, Advocate Taylor said.
She reminded the Jurats that the attacks took place during Ramadan, “their holiest month”.
“The language they used was threatening and abusive. What else could it be?,” she asked.
Though some of the witnesses had spoken about the incident, Advocate Taylor said they discussed “the impact of the defendants’ behaviour and how they can protect their community going forward”.
Advocate Julia-Anne Dix, defending Dubois, said her client had been concerned for the child and that the time and location had been “coincidental”.
The witnesses, she said, had presented “six different accounts” and she invited the Jurats to take note of those inconsistencies and find her client not guilty.
She added that though there was “no criticism” of those attending the Mosque discussing events that “shook up the community”, their accounts had been contaminated by those discussions and by news coverage at the time in which the attack was branded a “hate crime”.
Advocate Heidi Heath, defending Hamon, said the evidence provided by the witnesses in court was “wholly inconsistent” and that Hamon had simply said he would defend his girlfriend who was “outnumbered by a group of men”.
Dubois and Hamon are due to be sentenced on Monday 9 November.
Commissioner Alan Binnington presided, with Jurats Dulake and Averty.
Reacting to the verdict, community leader Dr Sarfraz Jamali said: “While this incident had a significant impact on many within our community, we were very grateful for the support shown from across Jersey.
“The case has now come to an end and our focus is on moving forward.
“I would like to thank the States of Jersey Police, and the many Islanders who offered their support following this incident.”
DC James Simpson, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: “This incident targeted people attending a place of worship and had a profound impact on many within Jersey’s Muslim community.
“Following the incident, officers worked closely with the Jersey Islamic Centre and community representatives to provide reassurance and support. We also saw communities across Jersey come together in support of those affected, sending a clear message that intimidation, abuse and violence have no place in our Island.”
He thanked victims and members of the public who supported the investigation and stressed: “Everyone should be able to attend their place of worship free from intimidation, abuse or violence. We welcome today’s verdict and hope it provides reassurance that those responsible will be held accountable.”
